“The demand of a peaceable people for peace,” controverted the Governor heatedly. “At the same time the newspapers all over the country will be urged to use their influence toward keeping us out of a war that can mean nothing but injury to their business. We’ll show that blundering fool in Washington--” His visitor stiffened perceptibly in the chair. “Are you speaking of the President of the United States?” he demanded. “Oh, between four walls,” Embree deprecated. “Since when did you swing around to the Schoolmaster?” “Since he gave the word to close ranks.” “He’s never given it. His whole attitude is a big bluff. The only danger is that the hot-heads will make capital of it. He does n’t intend to go through with it.” “You’re wrong there.” “If he does, he can’t do it. Congress has the final word. And Congress is responsive to the newspapers. Now, Jem, when the arguments from the other side come to The Guardian--” “We’re being swamped with ’em already; machine-made letters to the editor, fresh every hour from the Deutschtum factory.” “Give them a fair show. Publish them.” “I’ll see them damned first!” “Neutrality!” commented the Governor acidly. “War!” retorted the owner of The Guardian. With an obvious effort “Smiling Mart” summoned his beam from out the gloom and set it on guard again. “When it comes to the pinch you’ll find me as ready to fight as anybody,” he asserted. “The only difference between your position and mine is that I want to be perfectly sure it’s right and inevitable.” “The State Council of Defense is a long step in the right direction.” “It must n’t be too long a step, though,” the Governor pointed out. “It’s defense, not offense, that’s our purpose. By the way, do you know that there is an old act of the Legislature empowering the Governor to appoint such a body?” “Fine!” said Jeremy heartily. “Then you can do the whole business at to-morrow’s meeting.” “Yes; but I thought it advisable to have the formal approval of a State-wide representative body, such as I’ve called together, for the moral effect--and the political,” he added. “You’ve made it non-partisan?” asked Jeremy. “Yes, yes! Of course! And representative; representative of all classes. To make it so I’ve been obliged to include some of the German element.” “Certainly. That’s all right, as long as they are n’t the ‘Deutschland über Alles’ lot.” “Some of them, I’m afraid, don’t like you much; or you them. Now, Jem, don’t go off at half-cock,” he added persuasively as the other looked up at him with a gleam of discomposure. “I can’t ignore my best political friends and supporters, can I? And you know we have no sol-ider, more influential citizens than our Germans.” “But what about their loyalty?” “Don’t expect too much of them right now. They’ll be all right when the test comes.” The editor thought it over.